The A350 XWB makes its debut in Australia

The world’s newest, most modern and efficient aircraft, the Airbus A350 XWB has made its debut in Australia, landing at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International airport on August 5th, after flying in from Johannesburg, South Africa.

The aircraft is operated by Airbus flight crews and while in Sydney a representative airline schedule operation has to be demonstrated such as normal airline turnarounds using airport handling services. The aircraft will also be shown to media and to special guest. On the 5th afternoon, the aircraft will fly to Auckland in New Zealand with VIP passengers.

The tests form part of the final trials required for aircraft Type Certification, which is expected in Q3, 2014. A350-900 (MSN 5) is one of five A350 test aircraft one of two with an Airbus cabin with 265 seats (42 business and 223 economy). The A350’s World Tour began on July 24th and involves a series of tests on four different trips. It will visit 14 airports around the world and will end on August 13th

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus Widebody product line. Offering its customers a 25% reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB Family comprises three versions from 276 to 369 seats. The A350 has carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. At the end of June 2014, the A350 XWB had won 742 orders from 38 customers worldwide.